State won't test workers for smoking

RALEIGH -- Thousands of North Carolina state employees admitted they were smokers and signed up for a higher-priced health coverage under the threat of random testing to see if they were sneaking a butt.

But so many workers opted to admit their vice and stay in the higher-price plan that administrators doubt they'll find many cheaters. Legislators and plan administrators this week dropped plans to test for smokers trying to beat the system.

The State Health Plan covers nearly 670,000 public employees, retirees and their family members.

Starting in July, smokers will receive less-generous coverage. Workers could opt for the more-generous coverage if they signed a statement that they don't smoke or entered a program to help them quit.